Westchester, NY FEBRUARY 18, 2005 Members of Animal Defenders of
Westchester will join outside Westchester County Center on Feb. 18, from
12:30 - 2:30 pm, to protest the presence of the ‘Royal’ Hanneford Circus.

Last year this circus told the media that their Department of Health
certificate ‘...is proof that the animals are well-taken care of,
vaccinated, tested for tuberculosis, etc.’ An investigation into this claim
proves Hanneford to be liars - the Dept. Of Health states they are only
checking for food, water, and the removal of feces and urine. The Dept. Of
Health does NOT check for vaccinations, tb testing for the elephants - and
definitely not for the care given to the animals.

This circus also displayed their horses to the media - while denying
their cameras access to any other area. Perhaps the reason for this is
that, according to an article in the WESTCHESTER WEEKLY, reporter Robert
Masterson wrote that the “...elephants were chained, front and back, when
they were not performing...” which belies Hanneford’s supposed ‘good
treatment’ of its’ elephants; chains so short animals can’t groom themselves
or turn around; perhaps Hanneford doesn’t want the public seeing animal
enclosures so tiny and inadequate, elephants standing in their own urine,
evidence of inadequate veterinary care - all of which they’ve been cited
for repeatedly by the USDA...

Kiley Blackman, organizer of this event, said “The Hanneford circus is
over; These antiquated, cruel acts are being stopped all over
the world. In addition, Westchester County has been served with a Notice of
Dangerous Condition regarding traveling animal acts. Lawsuits resulting
from circus problems could raise property taxes. Is it really worth it for
an hour of supposed ‘fun’?”